The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with the Karmanos Cancer
Advocacy Program (KCAP), Karmanos Cancer Network and McLaren Health Care, will host the 13th annual
All Cancer Symposium on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This conference is free and,
for the second year in a row, is available virtually and in person at three locations across the state,
including the Hospitality House at McLaren, G-3170 Beecher Road, Flint.
This year’s symposium, titled “The Cancer Patient’s Journey: What You Need to Know,” features
presentations from multiple oncologists and specialists throughout the Karmanos Cancer Network,
covering the different types of treatments and the process of determining treatment options for cancer
patients.
Led by Elisabeth Heath, M.D., FACP, medical oncologist and leader of the Genitourinary Oncology
Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos, experts will explain the role of imaging technology, genetic testing
and clinical trials in cancer management. This year’s keynote speaker is Kathy Smolinski, MSW, JD, the
director of Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic at Wayne State University (WSU) Law School.
The symposium will also feature a panel of Karmanos, McLaren, and WSU experts and researchers to
discuss how patients and caregivers can optimize the cancer care experience.
“We can’t wait to educate people from across Michigan on the full process of the cancer care
experience,” said Dr. Heath, who is also the associate center director for Translational Science at
Karmanos, Hartmann Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research and a professor of oncology at WSU’s
School of Medicine.
“The symposium is ideal for anyone who has been recently diagnosed with cancer, survivors, their family,
friends, caregivers, anyone who has been touched by cancer, and the overall community who may be
interested in understanding exactly what we do at Karmanos and the types of research we conduct,” Heath added. “We will have opportunities for in-person and virtual audiences to participate in the discussions and ask questions throughout the day. If you are curious and want to learn more about cancer care, we look
forward to seeing you there – there is something for everyone to learn.”
Among the featured experts at this statewide event will be Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint
Radiation Oncologist Dr. Brian Yeh, who will moderate a discussion about optimizing the cancer care
experience in treatment, and McLaren Flint Foundation Vice President Doug Glazier.
Additional cancer organizations will attend the Symposium to provide valuable information and
resources. The American Cancer Society will also participate in one of the panel discussions focusing on
optimizing the cancer care experience.
Attending the event in person or virtually is free. In-person seating is limited and available on a first come, first-served basis. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to those attending the symposium in
person. The registration deadline is August 31, 2023. Visit karmanos.org/cancersymposium to register.
